MUNSTER have been warned it may take some time to get used to life under Rassie Erasmus.

Connacht will face French resistance head-on in the Alps this evening with a European Challenge Cup semi-final at stake.

Ronan O’Gara believes that Simon Zebo needs to stop taking “the soft option” if he is to fulfil his potential with Munster and Ireland.

Trevor Brennan’s place has been the first port of call for thousands of Irish people visiting Toulouse for well over a decade now so there was nothing unusual in Paula Fitzpatrick and Heather O’Brien seeking him out on arrival last September.

Ireland’s performance director David Nucifora has warned the country’s top stars will be at a “disadvantage” for international selection if plying their trade abroad.

Northampton 9 Racing 92 9: Northampton’s England contingent failed to make an impression as Eddie Jones resumed his busy pre-Christmas scouting tour of the Aviva Premiership clubs last night.

As they prepare to head into the lion’s den against title holders Toulon on Sunday afternoon, Jonathan Sexton believes that Leinster need to attack the strengths of the Top 14 giants in their latest European Rugby Champions Cup fixture.

Leinster captain Isa Nacewa has backed exciting rookie Garry Ringrose to become a world-class player if he continues to progress on his current trajectory.

In a team chock full of legends, Beauden Barrett may still have junior status but he has been an All Black long enough to know that to retain the World Cup this Saturday, they will have to go back to square one.

Ronan O’Gara looks forward to what promises to be an exciting weekend of rugby action and warns that Ireland should not underestimate Argentina who, he suggests, are playing better than ever before.

Leinster legend, Munster bete noire.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Jonathan Sexton will be hoping referee Nigel Owens can offer him protection this weekend from French heads and elbows that have previously left him battered and bruised.

It was their coach four years ago. This time it is the media.

Tommaso Allan knows the routine.

Argentina 54 Georgia 9: Argentina are at that stage of development where they are potentially both giants and giant-killers at this World Cup, and, having come up short in their attempts to stun the All Blacks last Sunday, the key objective for them in Gloucester yesterday was not to become the victims of shock.

France resume their Pool D campaign at the Olympic Stadium against Romania tonight with Johnny Sexton declaring Philippe Saint-Andre’s side “the best they’ve looked in years”.

London’s Indian summer came to an abrupt end yesterday, but the slate skies and soft rain did little to dampen the sense of conviviality that permeated the mood around the French camp ahead of their second outing in Ireland’s Pool D tomorrow night.

Ronan O’Gara’s Racing have a new name this season, and a new look to their backline following the departures of Jonathan Sexton and Jamie Roberts over the summer.

Leo Cullen is the type of special character who can make light of his limited coaching experience and succeed in the daunting task of guiding Leinster back to the summit of the Pro12 and European games, according to Jonathan Sexton.

Former Munster assistant coach Simon Mannix said he played no part in Paul O’Connell’s move to France and has denied he ever tried to sign the Irish captain for Pau.

Three of Welsh rugby’s biggest names — James Hook, Mike Phillips and Richard Hibbard — face uncertain international futures after seeing their World Cup hopes extinguished.

Wales have announced the team to face Ireland in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up Test at the Millennium Stadium.

Simon Zebo admits he would have little difficulty in settling into a new life as a rugby player in France, but the Munster and Ireland wing is postponing all thoughts on his club future until after the upcoming World Cup.

Rob Kearney has rejected suggestions that Paul O’Connell’s switch from Munster to Toulon will kickstart a trend of senior Ireland internationals ending their careers in the financially flush Top 14.

Paul O’Connell has explained that there was no option but to call time on his Ireland career in order to afford himself the best possible opportunity of making his post-World Cup switch from Munster to Toulon a success.

Paul O’Connell has confirmed that his Ireland career will end when Joe Schmidt’s side plays its last game at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

And so it begins.